Archive for March, 2008

VTS and I participated in the 4oth Springtime Tallahassee Festivities under the Asian Coalition of Tallahassee (ACT) banner and walked the 1 and 1/2 mile parade. About 12 Indian Americans walked along side people from China, TaPhillipines, Philippines, and Thailand.

Our full group consisted of about 80 people from all the countries of Asian Coalition. Then there were three dragons (two from Chinese Martial Arts Group) and one from Taiwan (student Dragon).

The Association provided Holi colors, drinks and cutlery. The participants young and old college and high school students throw colors on each other and later played with water. In general every body had fun time.

I visited BHPS as part of their middle school career day speeches. I was one among the 10 people who will visit the school and speak about their careers and how they come to that job. They are also asked to talk about the pros and cons of the job.

I spoke about my career as a scientist. How I started as a chemist during my undergraduate days and shifted to physical chemistry during my graduate days and finally settled on biophysicist for my long term job.

I also showed them some crystals, pipettes, polarizing filters, cryo holders and protein crystals under a microscopes.

Today BHPS SGA sponsored Chili Cook-off and tasting competition was held (Friday, March 14, 2008). There were 16 entries overall. SGA members tasted all of them and awarded four Special Spoons in the following categories: Overall, Vegetarian, Spicy and Original.

After the announcement was made and awards were handed out everyone enjoyed the chili and snacks at the deck.

IATLH put a booth at the FSU-IC’s International Bazaar. Volunteers distributed flyers about India, Indian Americans, and Indian Association of Tallhassee. We also put up handicrafts that are unique to India, Natraj statue, hay work, silk painiting, and leave paintings.

Bhanu did a demonstration of kolam and rangoli. Other volunteers like Priya and Sureka did henna work for several audience. The henna work was very popular. Next year we will do more of it.